Volunteer Stories

Be Our Volunteer, Could Be One of Your Life Changing Experiences

Everyday we see 105 Gibson helping and support people through the food bank, creative programs and services. Our volunteers dedicate a monthly average of 1,100 hours here serving our neighbours diligently with holistic care and services. Here are some of their stories.

LOUISA, Volunteer

“The more I put myself into their shoes, the more I feel fortunate, blessed and thankful for what I have. They become my drive to be humble, to give and share with compassion.”

My desire to serve and go on a mission is deeply influenced by my grandmother who was a dedicated and faithful Christian. Due to my line of work and family obligation, going on a mission trip is a challenge. 105 Gibson Centre became my local mission field.

I am a regular volunteer since 2013 when the Centre first opened. I feel energized each time I step into the Centre even after putting in long hours at work. Being at the reception, I am able to meet many people. I try to remember their names and make them feel welcome. Many of the visitors are now my friends.

Among the many people I have met, I am most touched by the food bank clients. The more I put myself into their shoes, the more I feel fortunate, blessed and thankful for what I have. They become my drive to be humble, to give and share with compassion.

Being a volunteer at the Centre is very rewarding. I thank God for the privilege to serve and to witness His works at 105 Gibson. I also encourage others to join me as a volunteer.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)

“Community involvement is a great way to find new interests and learn about what motivates people to make a difference. It has been such a rewarding experience.”

Volunteering has always attracted me. This is my first time doing it and I can say it’s a rewarding experience. I retired a few years ago and I used to spend most of my free time window shopping, having lunch with friends, chatting over coffee or staying at home watching tv soap operas. Then one day last spring, a friend told me she was super busy working on an assignment as a volunteer. I offered to assist her and she introduced me to 105 Gibson. In the last six months I have had the opportunity volunteering at 105 Gibson at the Reception area and helping out with various events. I truly value my experience and treasure everything they have taught me.

I am also delighted to be able to help with the Abundant Life Program. I love seeing how happy the older adults are as they participate in the well-designed programs. The interactions and friendship with the many enthusiastic senior members is quite gratifying for me. And lastly, the volunteers’ fellowship is also a heart-warming experience.

Community involvement is a great way to find new interests and learn about what motivates people to make a difference. It has been such a rewarding experience. Therefore I would like to thank 105 Gibson for giving me an opportunity volunteering in its meaningful community programs and activities. God bless!

“By seeing brothers and sisters cooperating so nicely with one another, and with all their hearts in accomplishing God’s works, I could feel the love of God from each one of them.”

I believe it was the work of Christ that connected me with my new sister-in-Christ. We met at bible study and she was in urgent need of a graphic designer to assist her in an event called Doors Open 105 Gibson. Graphic design has been my profession and I happened to be sitting next to her! I volunteered to help her out.

In two months, my relationship with my sister-in-Christ had evolved from being strangers to comrades. We encouraged and supported each other, worked together even till very late at night to meet the deadlines. We saw God’s blessings on June 4; the weather was beautiful! There were many different programs and booths on display that day. By seeing brothers and sisters cooperating so nicely with one another, and with all their hearts in accomplishing God’s works, I could feel the love of God from each one of them.

From my participation, I learn that community service is really not simple. If there are no blessings from God, all works are in vain. I hope our non-Christian guests saw the light of God from the Doors Open 105 Gibson event and be attracted by what the Centre stands for, making 105 Gibson a community lampstand for all.

“Through our service, we hope to show that we care – we are here to walk alongside our community members who are in need…”

If I have to find one word to describe or profile the people we have served through the ministry of the food bank, I would use the word “loss”. Our clients are ordinary folks who have unfortunately experienced varying types of loss – the loss of health, the loss of work, the loss of affordable housing, the loss of a support system and family stability… Such unwanted changes in life’s circumstances may hit unexpectedly, and often, the individual is left to struggle on his or her own, sometimes trying to make ends meet from month to month, or even week to week. Our clients come from all walks of life – individuals in their 50s & 60s who have become unemployed and unemployable, single parents with health issues, young adults with emotional or physical challenges and limited social skills, a small business owner who has gone through bankruptcy, college students lacking in financial resources and family support, young women trapped in the sex trade, a high school dropout looking for meaningful work and friendship…

The food bank ministry exists then to bridge that gap. Through our service, we hope to show that we care – we are here to walk alongside our community members who are in need, to hear their stories and to offer some much-needed help, until their lives can get back on track one day.

“I’ve experienced ‘serving can be joyful’ by interacting with these young people….. I feel blessed that they trust us enough to open up to us and also a strong desire to walk with them. “

“A Meal Together” started at 105 Gibson Centre beginning January 2015, it provides a free meal along with activities for youth every Thursday. During the months of volunteering for this program, it enlightened me in 3 ways.

First, “Do not underestimate the little things you do, it can be a big impact to others”. Before the program began, we didn’t have high expectations on the number of participants and all our planning was based on not any more than 25 people to show up yet now we have over 50 participants attending each week. At first, students came out of curiosity brought here by their friends. I often hear them say at the registration desk that they aren’t sure if they can come regularly as they have things to do. Surprisingly, those people are the ones that have not missed a single week of “A Meal Together”. You may think the free meals and activities are what attract the participants. Yet strangely enough, that is not always the case. There are students that just need a place to be and 105 Gibson Centre provides that.

Secondly, I’ve experienced “serving can be joyful” by interacting with these young people. When these young people open up to us sharing their struggles at their different stages of life, I’m overwhelmed. I feel blessed that they trust us enough to open up to us and also a strong desire to walk with them.

Thirdly, “Love is all around you”. 105 Gibson Centre is a place of love and I truly felt it through serving with the rest of the volunteers, including mentors, chefs and many others. Life impacting life is how I felt by the heart of these people putting into the program. Cooking a meal for over 50 people is not a simple task; it includes grocery shopping, heavy lifting, prepping and cooking. Quoting a line from a commercial, “get a smile and give a smile” and in this case, “getting love and giving love”.